Before we start with part II in the series, I wanted to present a quote from big time tool, Roy Williams from UNC in response to a question about his team struggling this season after winning the national championship in 2009.

“Our massage therapist told me, ‘You know, coach, what happened in Haiti is a catastrophe. What you’re having is a disappointment,’ ” said Williams. “I told her that depends on what chair you’re sitting in. It does feel like a catastrophe to me, because it is my life.” ~ Roy Williams

With that out of the way, it’s on to a look at the first base position in the system.

My Comment: Most of were guilty last year of being a hater when it came to Lee. I found myself on multiple occasions asking for more playing time for Micah Hoffpauir at first base only to see Lee going insane with the bat for the majority of the season. It’s a key year for Lee, who will be a free agent at the end of the year. Hendry has said he would be interested, if the price is right, in bringing Lee and Ted Lilly back on short term extensions. I think we’ll see from this breakdown that first base is not a well stocked position in the system. Depending on his health and 2010 performance, it may be a decent idea to bring Lee back on a short term (1-2 year) extension if the price is right.

Rebel Ridling
Year Age Lev PA R 2B 3B HR RBI SB BB SO BA OBP SLG OPS
2008 22 A-A- 260 32 15 0 14 54 1 13 68 .250 .304 .492 .795
2009 23 A 586 74 34 1 16 97 2 40 95 .310 .357 .466 .823
Expected Level: Starter in for High-A Daytona or potentially AA Tennessee.
How Acquired: Drafted by the Cubs in the 25th round (2008)
What the Scouts Say: Ridling hits line drives to all fields with authority,
showing an impressive bat that projects to continue to produce high batting
averages (.310 in 2009). The main concern is that his performance was a
result of a 23 year old college hitter repeating the Midwest League, and he is
somewhat behind the typical progression. (Wrigley Bound)

My Comment: I’m a fan of Ridling. Ryan Flaherty mentioned him as a name that most don’t know, but should. That’s evident in the fact that he didn’t even get a mention in John Sickel’s prospect book for this year that featured 39 names in the system. You’re really telling me that he’s not a top 39 prospect? Really? I’m not buying that. Ridling came in as my # 13 prospect in the system as of November. I believe he’s going to figure things out even more in 2010 and make a big jump in the system. He’s a guy I’ve got high hopes for, despite the fact that he’s a little behind in the development. I can see him being a guy that puts up numbers similar in nature to Will Clark.

Other Notable Names

Blake Lalli – Age is not on his side (27), but he’s shown he can hit for average from the left side of the plate. Lacks the power typically needed at the position.

Ryne White – Familiar first name for Cub fans. Acquired in the off-season in the A. Heilmann deal. Good OBP guy.

Joe Aiello is the founder of View From the Bleachers and one of the lead writers. Growing up in Chicago, he fondly remembers attending games in the bleachers before that was the popular thing to do. Currently Joe resides in North Carolina with his wife and three kids and helps people protect their assets as an independent insurance agent.
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What happened to those 2 1B we had in 2006 that we couldn't call up because one had a broken foot and the other was playing like complete and utter trash? Who is supposed to be Lee's back-up on the MLB roster.

http://intensedebate.com/people/kuma32478 Joe Aiello

The new system is in place to combat comment spam. You guys haven't seen it, but there have been 4 separate instances that have knocked the site offline because of spammers. This system should go a long way to prevent that. It's really a nice plugin.

http://intensedebate.com/people/TP2 TP2

The system is stupid because it won't let me make my SN Terrelle Pryor 2. I had to make it TP2

Lizzie

Rebel Ridling wins the award for best baseball name in the system. I can hear the fans chanting already!

http://intensedebate.com/people/TP2 TP2

What happened to those 2 1B we had in 2006 that we couldn't call up because one had a broken foot and the other was playing like complete and utter trash? Who is supposed to be Lee's back-up on the MLB roster.

http://intensedebate.com/people/kuma32478 Joe Aiello

The possible backups for Lee this year appear to be Hoffpauir, Chad Tracy or Kevin Millar

http://intensedebate.com/people/TP2 TP2

Finally I got an email. This system is stupid still.

http://intensedebate.com/people/kuma32478 Joe Aiello

The new system is in place to combat comment spam. You guys haven't seen it, but there have been 4 separate instances that have knocked the site offline because of spammers. This system should go a long way to prevent that. It's really a nice plugin.

http://intensedebate.com/people/TP2 TP2

The system is stupid because it won't let me make my SN Terrelle Pryor 2. I had to make it TP2

http://intensedebate.com/people/dat_cubfan_dave dat_cubfan_dave

Aw, c'mon, Joe. We didn't trade away Jake Fox for nothing. We traded him away to get rid of Aaron Miles – who's now back in the NL Central ready to ground out to second base at our bidding. Mwa-hahahahahaha!!!

A couple other names to maybe add to the "notables" list: Spring training NRI guys Bryan LaHair and Brad Snyder? I think they're listed as outfielders but could probably play first base, too. Oh, and Scott McClain – whom I mentioned "In the News" the other day.

I do agree that the Cubs system looks pretty shallow when it comes to first basemen. The bright side is this is a position that's fairly easy to fill via trades, free agency (hello, Adrian Gonzalez!) and positional moves (perhaps Josh Vitters will end up there?).

http://intensedebate.com/people/dat_cubfan_dave dat_cubfan_dave

Totally agree! I want him to make the team – uh, at some point – just to see his name in the lineup.

http://intensedebate.com/people/dat_cubfan_dave dat_cubfan_dave

Xavier Nady has played some first base, too. And I believe Jeff Baker has logged some time there as well.

http://swantron.com jswanson

I guess we are pretty weak at 1st without the big guy. If Nady gets some looks at first, I wouldn’t bank on too many infield assists…unless he goes underhand to the pitcher.